Game device



NOV. 17, 1936. R B STEWART 2,061,112

GAME DEVI CE Filed Nov. 9, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l Hwa-*7 ii' 7a' Il' 7,4

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l :l g'rvoe'ntoz HLPH B. STEWART F/G, 5 WSW Nov. 17, 1936. R, B S-g-EWAR-r i 2,061,112

GAME DEVI CE Filed Nov. 9, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 10

gwoanto RALPH B. STEWART F/GIZ Nov. 17, 1936.

R B. STEWART GAME DEVICE Filed Nov. 9, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 (34 zu mi,

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Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

My invention relates to a game device, and more particularly to a game device provided with a plurality of targets which are operated by pro- J'ectiles.

An object of my invention is to devise a game device having a number of targets and to provide means for automatically indicating the total number of targets hit, or the total score allotted to targets that are hit.

A further object is to provide a totalizing score indicator for a. plural-target game having a bi-directional operating connection between each target and the indicator, whereby movement of any target in either direction eects a movement of the indicator in a corresponding direction.

Still another object is to devise a game device having a plurality of target members and a totalizing score indicator mechanism wherein a single operating element for the indicator serves to normally bias all of the target elements to the latched or set position.

Another object of my invention is to devise a portable game device of the bowling type which utilizes the top of a table as the alley or bowling surface. Other forms of my device are designed to use the floor or any at surface as the alley.

My invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view partly in section of one form of the invention;

Figure la illustrates the equalizer bar connec tion of Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section of Fig. 2 along line 3-3;

Figure 4 is a partial view of Fig. 1 viewed from the back and showing only the score indicating device;

Figure 5 shows the invention of Figs. 1 to 4 4o mounted on a table;

Figure 6 shows an indicator actuating device adapted to be operated by four targets;

Figure '7 is an enlarged view of a modification of the indicator actuating device;

Figure 8 is a front view of another form of my invention;

Figure 9 is a side View of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan view of Figure 9 showing the top removed and showing one target in the o tripped position;

Figure 11 is a rear View of the fro-nt panel of Fig. 8 showing the targets and the indicating device;

55 Figure 12 is a partial View of Fig. 11 along the line I2-l2 showing a detail of the target trigger construction Figure 13 is a front view of a third form of my invention;

Figure 14 is an end sectional view of Fig. 13 5 along line lll-I4;

Figure 15 is a. plan view of Figure 13 with the top removed and showing one target in tripped position;

Figure 16 is a rear view of the front of Fig. 13 10 showing the indicating device;

Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig.

16 along the line Ill-ll.

In Figures l to 5 I have illustrated the details of one form of my invention which is adapted to 15 be placed upon the top of a table and employed as a bowling game, using croquet balls as the projectiles. A side View of the assembled game mounted upon a table T is shown in Figure 5. The top of the table serves as the alley or sur- 20 face along which the balls are rolled, and two side members la and Ib form the sides of the alley to direct the balls towards the game device, which is supported at the left end of the table of Figure 5 by the side rails la. and ib. At the 25 end of the side rails lat and lb is arranged a rectangular box-like structure 3 provided with two partitions 3d and 3e, dividing the box into three compartments or pockets 3a., 3b and 3o respectively. The upper open ends of the pockets 3U lie in the same plane as the top of the table T, and the board 3f forms a continuation of the table top surface between the end of the table and the front edge of the box 3 over which the balls pass into the pockets. The back side 3g 35 of the box 3 extends above side rails la and Ib and is provided with a padded covering 3h extending across the three pockets to serve as abumper or pad toabsorb the impact of the balls and prevent rebound. The back side 3g also does 40 not extend entirely down to the bottom of the box 3, thereby leaving an opening in the rear of each pocket through which the balls may be discharged into three pockets of a tray construction formed to the rear of the box 3 by side members 45 3i, 3y', 3k and partitions 3l and 3m. Located within the three pockets of box 3 are three target members 4a, 4b and 4c which are carried by levers 5a., 5b and 5c, respectively, which in turn are pivotally mounted upon a cross-bar Sn secured between side pieces 3i and 37, The levers 5a, 5b and 5c are arranged to move within slots formed in the inclined front side of the box 3, and the target members 4a, 4b and 4c form movable bottoms for the pockets 3a, 3b and 3c. As 55 will be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the target members 4a, 4b and 4c project out of the pockets of box 3 through the openings at the rear and project into the pockets of the tray construction. The front ends of side members 3i and 3j are joined by cross members 3p and are also joined to the board 3j by vertical members 3q and 3f. The ends of levers 5a, 5b and 5c extend beyond the cross member 3p, and one end of lever 6 is connected to each end of these levers through equalizer bars 6a. and 6b, as shown in Figures 1, la and 3. Equalizer bar 6b is connected between the ends of levers 5b and 5c in a manner to permit the free movement of each bar independently of the other, as by pins freely passing through holes formed in the ends of the levers and secured in the ends of the equalizer bar. The connection between the ends of equalizer bar Ea and the center of equalizer bar 6b is a exible connection formed of a cord or like material, and th-e connection between the other end of equalizer bar 6a and the end of lever 5a is a exible connection of the same type. A flexible connection is also provided between the end of lever 6 and a point on equalizer bar 6a such that equal movements of the levers 5a, 5b and 5c about their axes will produce equal rotation of the lever 6 about its pivotal point 6.

Immediately above lever 6 is arranged a score indicating device enclosed in housing 1 having a front panel 1a., on the back side of which is pivotally mounted a pulley 1b to which is attached an indicator card 1c. As indicated in Fig. 1 the panel 'la is mounted above the alley to provide space for the balls to pass underneath the panel. A second pulley 1d is pivotally supported on the rear side of the panel 'la immediately above the free end of lever 6, and a ilexible cord 'le is connected t0 the end of lever 6, passes over pulley 1d, is looped around the pulley 1b, and the -free end secured to one end of the biasing spring 1f, the other end of which is anchored to the panel 1a. Frictional engagement of one turn of the cord 'le around pulley 1b is suflicient to maintain the indicator card 'lc in position, but, if desired, a positive connection may be provided between the cord and the pulley in order to prevent slippage. The panel la is provided near the top center with an opening 1g through which are displayed the indicating numerals carried by the indicator card 1c.

Operation of the game shown in Figures 1 to 5 is as follows: If a ball is rolled down the alley it will be directed into one of the pockets 3a, 3b or 3c containing target members 4a, 4b or 4c, and the weight of the ball will cause the target member to assume a depressed position illustrated at 4c in Fig. 2. It will be understood that the device is originally adjusted so that the tension of the biasing spring 1f, acting through the cord 1e, lever 6, and equalizer bars 6a and 6b, is sufficient to hold the ends of lever 5a, 5b and 5c down against cross bar 3p and maintain the targets in the raised or operating position as shown at 4c in Fig. 2. Movement of target members from the position indicated at 4c to 4c", causes the lever 6 to be rotated through a denite angle, which in turn causes a denite rotation of the indicator card 1c through cord 1e. If another ball falls into a diierent pocket and operates another target member, the indicating disc will be rotated to a second position, and a third ball in the third pocket will cause the disc to be rotated to the nal position. The numerals carried by the card le for the different positions may indicate the total number of pockets occupied, or if desired, the numerals in the second and third positions may be made proportionately larger than the numeral in the first position in order to place a premium upon filling more than one pocket. It is obvious that when a ball enters one pocket, the target in that pocket is operated and remains operated until the ball is removed from the tray at the rear of the device, and any additional ball which falls into this particular pocket does not change the indicator device. The rst ball which enters a pocket depresses the target and passes out of the pocket into the tray at the rear, but maintains the target depressed until removed from the tray. The indicator shows a maximum when each of the pockets is occupied by a ball, and preferably only as many balls are used as there are numbers of pockets, the object of the game being to place a ball in each pocket. After all the balls have been rolled, the score indicated by the card 1c is noted and then the balls are removed from the tray in the rear of the box and rolled again for another score.

It will be understood that more than three pockets may be provided in the box 3. Fig. 6 shows an equalizer bar connection to be used for connecting four target levers 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d to the lever 6 where four pockets are provided.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modified arrangement for operating the indicator and card 1c, or for totalizingthe operating movements of levers 5a, 5b and 5c. Pivotally supported on the ends of the levers are pulleys 5d', 5b and 5c respectively, and a number of similar pulleys 8a, 8b and 8c are supported upon cross-bar 3p in the same plane with the lever pulleys. The cord 1e is passed over the pulleys in the manner shown in Fig. 7, and the free end is secured to bar 3p. With this arrangement the movement of any target lever is transmitted to the card 1c independently of the position of the other levers, and the card indicates the total movement of all the levers. It is obvious that the arrangement of Fig. 7 may be exten-ded to accommodate any desired number of targ'et levers.

The device illustrated in Figs. l to 5 is constructed as a unit independent of the table on which it is supported, and side rails la and Ib are detachably secured to the device to facilitate the transporting and storing of the game.

Another form of my invention is illustrated in Figures 8 to l2. In this arrangement the game device is constructed as a portable unitary structure which may be placed upon any smooth surface such as a floor or the top of a table. Also, in this arrangement the target members when tripped by the projectile are maintained in tripped position independently of the projectile.

Referring to Figures 8 to 12, the device is enclosed Within a housing 9 provided with a front panel 9a on which most of the score indicating mechanism is mounted. Figure ll shows a rear View of the panel 9a, from which it will be seen that four target members |0a, lub, lc and lod are pivotally supported 0n the rear of the panel, and extend downwardly into the opening below the panel in the path of the projectile ball which is rolled upon the surface supporting the game device. Each target member is pivotally secured to the panel by means of screws A arranged on each side of the pivoted end of the member and passing through screw eyes B secured to the panel, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, but it will be understood that any suitable pivotal connection may be employed. The target members are provided with flexible cord connections I I a., I Ib, I Ic and I I d passing through screw eyes I2a, I2b, I2c and I2d and connected, respectively, to the ends of equalizer bars I3a and I3b. The manner in which the cord connections are secured to the target members and pass through the screw eyes is clearly shown in Figure 12. Each target member is provided with a slot opposite its cord connection to prevent interference from the cord when the target is tripped from the latched position. Flexible cord connections also extend from the midpoints of equalizer bars l3nt and I3b to equalizer bar I4. A flexible cord I5 is secured at one end to the middle of equalizer bar I4 and is looped around pulley I6 pivotally secured on the rear of the panel 9a, and the free end of the cord I5 is attached to one end of the biasing spring I'I, the free end of which is anchored to the panel 9a. Pulley I6 is provide-d with an enlarged flange I6a to which is secured an indicator disc IIbl having appropriate numerals marked on the face thereof and adapted to be displayed in front of an opening 9a' formed in the panel near the top.

The manner in which the target members are pivotally supported on the rear of the panel and connected by cord connections with the equalizer bars is clearly shown in Fig. 12. It will be noted that the pivotal axis of the target member lies to the left of the point of attachment of the cord f to the target member, and the upward pull of the spring I1, acting through the cord connections and the equalizer bars, tends to rotate the target member in an anti-clockwise direction and force the target against the rear bottom edge of the panel 9a. The targets are thus maintained in latched position by the tension of the biasing spring I'I, which also serves to operate the indicator disc I6b. The arrangement is such that with all of the targets placed in latched position, the card I6b is in the zero or starting position.

Operation of the arrangement shown in Figs. 8 to l2 is as follows: When a projectile strikes one of the target members, it is moved to the rear, and as the point of attachment of the cord connection to the target member passes to the left of the pivotal axis of the target member, see Fig. 12, the upward pull on the cord connection serves to rotate the target member in a clockwise direction into the position indicated at 10a in Figures 9 and l0. The clockwise movement of the target is stopped when the outer end comes in contact with a stop bar I8 extending across the housing 9a, and the target is maintained in this tripped position by the tension of the biasing spring I1. i Movement of the target from the latched to the tripped position results in an upward movement of one end of one equalizer bar, which movement is transmitted through the cord connection I5 and rotates the indicator disc through one position to indicate a score. Tripping of the remaining targets results in increased movement of the indicator disc through equal amounts, and the indication on the disc serves to totalize the score allotted to the targets.

For resetting the targets, the stop bar I8 is supported by arms I8al and I8b which in turn are supported from a rod pivotally mounted in the two ends of the housing 9 and provided at one end with a handle portion IBd extending outside of the casing. A spring I8e is also connected between a point on the housing and the arm I 8b and serves to normally maintain the bar I8 in contact with stop members I 8f and I8g secured to the ends of the housing (see Figs. 9 and 10). To return the targets to their latched position, the handle I8d is operated to move the stop bar I8 in an anticlockwise direction and thereby force the target members into the latched position shown at I0a in Figure 9.

In order to collect the balls which enter the box 9 and convey them out of the box, a floor board 9b is arranged in the box inclined towards the back, and an oppositely inclined board 9c is arranged behind the board 9b and cooperates with the back wall of the box to form a runway or trough to collect the balls entering the box. The bottom of the runway soI formed is slightly elevated at the right side of the bo-x as shown at 9d in Fig. 8. An opening 9e is formed at the end of the trough at the left side of the box through which the balls may pass out of the box and intoa tray 9j arranged on the left side of the box. A baflie board 9g is arranged immediately above the trough within the box in order tol deflect the balls down into the trough as they leave the board 9b.

It is obvious that the game device shown in Figs. 8 to 12 may be modied and adapted to accommodate any number of the target devices. It is also obvious that instead of employing the device as a bowling game, the targets may be operated by projectiles shot from a gun or other suitable instrument. For this purpose, the game device need not be arranged with the targets adjacent the floor, but it is possible to invert the arrangement and have the targets project above the enclosing housing or box.

The third fo-rm of my invention is illustrated in Figs. 13 to 17. The housing for the game device is provided With a front panel I9a on the back side of which is arranged the targets and the score indicating mechanism. Three targets 20a, 20h and 29e formed of sheet metal having a channel cross-section are pivotally supported at their upper ends between blocks 2Ia, 2lb, 2Ic and 2Id by suitable pins C passing through holes formed in the sides of the channel construction. Sheaved pulleys 22a., 22h and 22C are pivotally secured to the target members by U-shaped links 23a, 23h and 23o respectively, the ends of the links passing through holes D formed in the sides of the target members near the middle thereof. A number of pulleys 23, 24, 25 and 25 are rotatably mounted upon the back side of the panel I9a in the manner shown in Figure 16, and a flexible cord 2! has one end secured to the panel at 21a and is passed alternately over the target pulleys and stationary pulleys as shown in Fig. 16. Near the top of the panel are arranged two parallel guide bars 28a, and 28h, each provided with suitable grooves forming a guide for slidably supporting a rectangular indicating card 29. A block 29a is secured to the indicator card at one end, and the cord 2l passes through a hole formed in this block and suitable clamping means is provided for adjustably clamping the block to the cord. The free end of the cord 21 is attached to one end of a biasing spring 311, the other end of which is secured to the panel so that the cord 21 is maintained under tension. A window or opening I9b` is formed in the panel I9a in front of the indicator card 29 through which may be seen one or another of the numerals carried on the front face of the indicator card.

Operation of the arrangement shown in Figures 13 to 17 is as follows: The arrangement is normally such that with the targets in the latched position shown in Fig. 16, the indicator card 29 occupies the zero position, and the tension of the biasing spring 30 serves to maintain the targets in their latched position. This will be apparent from Figure 17 Where it is shown that the pivotal axis D of the link 23h lies to the right of the pivotal axis C' of the target, and the upward pull of the link against the target tends to rotate the target in an anti-clockwise direction and maintain contact with the lower rear edge of panel 19a. The game device is placed upon any suitable surface and the projectiles are directed against the target members. When one of the targets is struck, it is moved backwards, and the pivotal axis of the link 23h passes to the left of the pivotal point of the target and the upward pull on the target exerted by the spring 30 through the cord 21 causes the target to rotate in a clockwise direction and assume the position shown at 20c in Fig. 14, where movement of the target is arrested by the stop bar 3|. As the target moves from latched to tripped position, a definite amount of slack is introduced into the cord 21 which is taken up by the spring 30 and the indicator card 29 is moved to an indicating position. Tripping of additional targets results in further movement of the card 29 to indicate a total score allotted to the number of targets which are tripped.

In order to return the targets to the latched or operating position a bar 32 is arranged above the target members and having end portions 32a andy 32h extending through inclined slots 33 on each side of the box to provide handles for depressing the bar and forcing the target members back into latched position. Suitable springs 34 are attached to each end of the bar and to the upper part of the casing for returning the bar to its normal position after each operation.

It will be noted that in the two arrangements illustrated in Figures 8 to 12 and 13 to 1'7, the target members are mounted and connected with the indicator operating mechanism by what may be called toggle pivots. In each case the tension of the biasing spring which serves to move the indicator card also functions to maintain the target member both in the latched position and in the tripped position. It will also be noted that in all forms of operating connections between the targets and the indicator, as in Figs. 1, 6, 7, 11 and 16, the operation is bidirectional, that is, operation of any target from latched position to tripped position moves the indicator a definite amount in one direction, and movement of the target back to latched position returns the indicator to its original position, and each target has a definite control over the indicator independently of the other targets. For example, if two targets are struck simultaneously the indicator will be moved the same distance as Where the targets are struck one after the other. Also, due to the bi-directional operating connections between each target and the indicator, the indicator is automatically returned to the zero position when all targets are set in latched or operating position.

'Ihe game devices shown in Figures 8 to 12 and 13 to 17 are particularly suited for indoor putting practice, using golf balls as projectiles, by placing the games on the floor and putting the balls at the targets.

While I have illustrated three different forms of my invention, other modifications coming within the scope of my invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In a game device, a plurality of movable targets each having a tripped position and a latched position, an indicator, means for biasing said indicator towards indicating position, means including operating connections between said indicator and said targets for totalizing the movement of said targets, said biasing means serving to maintain each of said targets in latched position.

2. In a game device, a plurality of movable targets, an indicator, biasing means for said indicator, a plurality of stationary pulleys, a pulley connected to each of said targets, a flexible member one end of which is fixed with respect to said stationary pulleys running over each of said pulleys and rotatably engaging said indicator, said biasing means being connected to the other end of said flexible member.

3. In a game device, a plurality of movable targets, each carrying a pulley, an indicator, biasing means for said indicator, a plurality of stationary pulleys, a flexible member, one end of which is fixed with respect to said stationary pulleys, said flexible member passing alternately over said stationary pulleys and said target pulleys and the other end being operatively connected to said indicator.

4. In a game device, a plurality of movable targets, an indicator, an operating element for said indicator, bi-directional operating connections from said targets to said indicator operating element, the movement of said bi-directional connections being proportional to the total movements of said targets, said connections being arranged to totalize the operative movements of said targets.

5. In a game device, a housing h'aving a plurality of chambers, each chamber containing a movable target, an indicator for said targets, an operating element for said indicator, bi-directional operating connections between said targets and said indicator element, each target having the same maximum movement, means rendering each target inoperative upon operation of each of said targets, said connections being arranged to totalize the operative movements of said targets.

6. In a, game device, in combination, a housing having a plurality of targets, an indicator for said targets, an operating element for said indicator, bi-directional operating connections between said targets and said indicator element, each target having the same maximum movement, means for rendering each target inoperative upon the first operation thereof, and means for restoring said targets to operative position.

7. A game device having a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, an indicator to register the hits made on said targets, means connecting the targets to the indicator for actuating the indicator, said means including a single biasing element for biasing all of said targets individually to one of said two positions.

8. A game device having a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, an indicator to register the hits made on said targets, means connecting the targets to the indicator for actuating the indicator, said means including a single biasing element operating to bias the indicator to indicating position and to hold each target in either the set position or the tripped position.

9. A game device having a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, a biasing element common to said targets, and means for connecting said biasing element to each target for simultaneously applying equal biasing forces to all of said targets tending to hold said targets in one of said positions.

10. A game device having a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, a biasing element common to said targets, and an equalizer bar arrangement connecting said targets to said biasing element for applying equal biasing forces to all of said targets.

11. A game device having a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, an indicator to register hits made on said targets, and an equalizer bar arrangement connecting the targets to the indicator to actuate the indicator and totalize the movement of said targets.

12. A game device having a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, an indicator to register hits made on said targets, an equalizer bar arrangement connecting the targets to the indicator to actuate the indicator and totalize the movement of said targets, means for biasing said indicator to indicating position, said biasing means also acting through said equalizer bar arrangement to bias each of said targets to set position.

13. A game device having a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, an indicator to register hits made on said targets, means connecting the targets to the indicator to actuate the indicator, and a single biasing element for simultaneously biasing said indicator for movement in one direction and for biasing each of said targets in set position.

14. A game device having a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, a biasing element common to said targets, and connections from said biasing element to said targets operable to yieldably hold said targets individually in either the set position or the tripped position.

l5. A game device having a plurality of pivotally mounted targets, an indicator to register hits made on said targets, means connecting the targets to the indicator to actuate the indicator, said means including biasing means operating to hold the target yieldably at either side of a dead center position, and to actuate the indicator when the target is moved past the dead center position upon being struck by a projectile.

16. In a game device, a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, an indicator for said targets, means for biasing said indicator towards indicating position, and operating connections between said targets and said indicator for restraining the movement of said indicator by said biasing means when said targets are in set position and for totalizing the movement oi said targets when moved to tripped position.

17. In a game device, a plurality 4of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, an indicator for said targets, means for biasing said' indicator towards indicating position, means including said biasing means for maintaining each of said targets in tripped position when moved from set position.

18. In a game device, a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, an indicator for said targets, means for biasing said indicator towards indicating position, means including said biasing means for maintaining each of said targets in tripped position when moved from set position, and a single movable element for simultaneously returning al1 of said targets from tripped position to set position.

19. In a game device, a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, means for biasing said targets towards tripped position when moved from set position, an indicator, and means connecting said targets with said indicator for totalizing the movement of said targets, and a single movable element for simultaneously returning all of said targets from tripped position to set position.

20. In a game device, a plurality of targets each having a set position and a tripped position, meansv for biasing each target for movement in opposite directions from a point intermediate the set position and tripped position, an indicator, means connecting said targets to said indicator for totalizing the movements of said targets, and a single movable element for simultaneously returning all targets from tripped position to set position.

RALPH B. STEWART. 

